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Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -¿Morten: And what are we going to do, when you have made liberal-minded and high-minded men of us Dr. Stockman: Then you shall drive all the wolves out of the country, my boys!¿ (Ibsen, An Enemy of the People, Act V) The theoretical and empirical research of this book describes how the traditional safeguards of the rights of minority shareholders have failed in their duty and how those shareholders have remained practically without any protection against the arbitrariness of the companies and majority shareholders. The law, the SEC, society, boards of directors, independent directors, auditors, analysts, underwriters and the press have remained in many cases worthless panaceas. Nevertheless, in the Ethics of 2000 new vehicles have been developed for the protection of minority shareholders, mainly the Internet, transparency, activist associations and ethical funds. Those vehicles give the shareholders at least the chance to understand the pattern and methods that are utilized to wrong them and give them a viable alternative for investment in ethical funds. The new vehicles will prevent minority shareholders from using the Armageddon weapon, by ceasing to invest in the stock exchange and causing the collapse of the system, that discriminates against them.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 280 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -A great bene t of being a clinical child psychologist is the opportunity to conduct and review research on fascinating areas of human, youthful behavior. And perhaps no behavior is as central to human existence as social behavior, and the lack thereof. In writing this book, therefore, I have been doubly blessed with the chance to examine seminal works on behaviors that are so critical to the development and quality of life of children. This book covers the major historical aspects, characteristics, asse- ment strategies, and psychological treatment techniques for youths with social anxiety and social phobia. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the related constructs and history of social phobia. Chapters 2 and 3 provide a summary of the characteristics and etiological variables that pertain most to youths with social anxiety and social phobia. Chapters 4 and 5 provide an overview of research- and clinically-based assessment strategies and recommendations for this population. Chapters 6¿9 provide a description of treatment techniques that are most relevant and empirically supported for youths with social anxiety and social phobia. Chapter 10 covers issues regarding general and relapse prevention as well as dif cult cases and future directions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 234 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Assembly language continues to hold a core position in the programming world because of its similar structure to machine language and its very close links to underlying computer-processor architecture and design. These features allow for high processing speed, low memory demands, and the capacity to act directly on the system's hardware. This completely revised second edition of the highly successful Introduction to Assembly Language Programming introduces the reader to assembly language programming and its role in computer programming and design. The focus is on providing readers with a firm grasp of the main features of assembly programming, and how it can be used to improve a computer's performance. The revised edition covers a broad scope of subjects and adds valuable material on protected-mode Pentium programming, MIPS assembly language programming, and use of the NASM and SPIM assemblers for a Linux orientation. All of the language's main features are covered in depth. The book requires only some basic experience with a structured, high-level language.Topics and Features: Introduces assembly language so that readers can benefit from learning its utility with both CISC and RISC processors [ NEW ].- Employs the freely available NASM assembler, which works with both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems [ NEW ].- Contains a revised chapter on 'Basic Computer Organization' [ NEW].- Uses numerous examples, hands-on exercises, programming code analyses and challenges, and chapter summaries.- Incorporates full new chapters on recursion, protected-mode interrupt processing, and floating-point instructions [ NEW ].Assembly language programming is part of several undergraduate curricula in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. In addition, this newly revised text/reference can be used as an ideal companion resource in a computer organization course or as a resource for professional courses.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 716 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Advanced Visual Quantum Mechanics is a systematic effort to investigate and to teach quantum mechanics with the aid of computer-generated animations. Although it is self-contained, this book is part of a two-volume set on Visual Quantum Mechanics. The first book appeared in 2000, and earned the European Academic Software Award in 2001 for oustanding innovation in its field. While topics in book one mainly concerned quantum mechanics in one- and two-dimensions, book two sets out to present three-dimensional systems, the hydrogen atom, particles with spin, and relativisticparticles. It also contains a basic course on quantum information theory, introducing topics like quantum teleportation, the EPR paradox, and quantum computers. Together the two volumes constitute a complete course in quantum mechanics that places an emphasis on ideas and concepts, with a fair to moderate amount of mathematical rigor. The reader is expected to be familiar with calculus and elementary linear algebra. Any further mathematical concepts will be illustrated in the text.This book has a home page (vqm.uni-graz.at) that includes more supplementary material, additional animations and visualizations, Mathematica® not Elektronisches Buch, and further information.'Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 532 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Deregulation has introduced competition into traditionally monopolistic markets, particularly telecommunications and electric utilities. This book brings together ten essays that were presented at the Center for Research in Regulated Industries at Rutgers University and funded by several regulated companies. The authors, who include young scholars as well as established and highly regarded consultants and researchers, address some of the major issues now facing network industries and regulators - deregulation, competition, stranded assets, diversification, pricing, and mergers and acquisitions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 254 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book focuses on high performance radio frequency integrated circuits (RF IC) design in CMOS. 1. Development of radio frequency ICs Wireless communications has been advancing rapidly in the past two decades. Many high performance systems have been developed, such as cellular systems (AMPS, GSM, TDMA, CDMA, W-CDMA, etc. ), GPS system (global po- tioning system) and WLAN (wireless local area network) systems. The rapid growth of VLSI technology in both digital circuits and analog circuits provides benefits for wireless communication systems. Twenty years ago not many p- ple could imagine millions of transistors in a single chip or a complete radio for size of a penny. Now not only complete radios have been put in a single chip, but also more and more functions have been realized by a single chip and at a much lower price. A radio transmits and receives electro-magnetic signals through the air. The signals are usually transmitted on high frequency carriers. For example, a t- ical voice signal requires only 30 Kilohertz bandwidth. When it is transmitted by a FM radio station, it is often carried by a frequency in the range of tens of megahertz to hundreds of megahertz. Usually a radio is categorized by its carrier frequency, such as 900 MHz radio or 5 GHz radio. In general, the higher the carrier frequency, the better the directivity, but the more difficult the radio design.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 140 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Much has been written about the economic and political problems of countries that are in the process of changing from centrally planned systems to market systems. Most studies have focused on the economic, legal, political, and sociological problems these economies have had to face during the transition period. However, not much has been written about the dramatic changes that have to be made to the accounting and financial system of a transition economy. Accounting and Financial System Reform in a Transition Economy: A Case Study of Russia was written to help fill that gap.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 196 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Entrepreneurship and growth are central concerns of policy makers around the world. Local Heroes in the Global Village introduces public policies for the promotion of entrepreneurship on a comparative, primarily German-American level. The book contributes to the debate what role public policies play in stimulating national and regional economic growth. With a better understanding of the complexity and variety of existent entrepreneurship policies in the U.S. and Germany the reader of this volume will be able to formulate best practice, hands-on strategies which aim to promote nations as well as regions in an 'entrepreneurial economy'.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 216 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -It's Not About the Technology is about a phenomenon most dreaded by high-technology industry executives: a failure at the execution leading to a missed market window. High-tech executives agree that a critical factor that drives the company to such a failure is the breakdown of interaction between marketing and engineering. This book is predicated on the notion that the success of execution lies neither in the technology nor in the market strategy. On the contrary, it is shaped by the context of an individual, whether an engineer or a marketer. From this viewpoint, successful execution in a high-tech company is manifest in a confluence of 3 contexts: the technological, the customer and the economic contexts. This book tackles the big questions of how to develop the basic craft of the thinking required in high-tech companies. Drawing from basic economic principles and practical experience in the semiconductor business, it breaks new ground in our understanding of the complexities of high-tech execution.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 236 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The purpose of this volume is to analyze the microfoundations of knowledge spillovers. The microeconomic analysis of spillovers leads to the insight that the spillover and flow of knowledge is not at all automatic. Instead, this volume suggests that a filter exists between knowledge and its economic application. The focus of this volume is on several key mechanisms that serve to reduce this filter and facilitate the flow of knowledge. In particular, the volume draws on an emerging literature identifying the role of knowledge spillovers to investigate significance of labor mobility and informal networks as mechanisms facilitating the flow of knowledge.No field in economics has dealt extensively with the microeconomics of knowledge spillovers. This volume brings together scholars from a broad spectrum of fields including labor economics, regional economics, the economics of innovation and technological change, and sociology to introduce new insights yielded from the microfoundations of knowledge spillovers.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 232 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In February 2002, the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) De partment at the University of Florida hosted a National Science Founda tion Workshop on Collaboration and Negotiation in Supply Chain Man agement and E Commerce. This workshop focused on characterizing the challenges facing leading edge firms in supply chain management and electronic commerce, and identifying research opportunities for de veloping new technological and decision support capabilities sought by industry. The audience included practitioners in the areas of supply chain management and E Commerce, as well as academic researchers working in these areas. The workshop provided a unique setting that has facilitated ongoing dialog between academic researchers and industry practitioners. This book codifies many of the important themes and issues around which the workshop discussions centered. The editors of this book, all faculty members in the ISE Department at the University of Florida, also served as the workshop's coordinators. In addition to workshop participants, we also invited contributions from leading academics and practitioners who were not able to attend. As a result, the chapters herein represent a collection of research contributions, monographs, and case studies from a variety of disciplines and viewpoints. On the aca demic side alone, chapter authors include faculty members in supply chain and operations management, marketing, industrial engineering, economics, computer science, civil and environmental engineering, and building construction departments.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 492 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -There is a serious problem in the recognition of sounds. It derives from the fact that they do not usually occur in isolation but in an environment in which a number of sound sources (voices, traffic, footsteps, music on the radio, and so on) are active at the same time. When these sounds arrive at the ear of the listener, the complex pressure waves coming from the separate sources add together to produce a single, more complex pressure wave that is the sum of the individual waves. The problem is how to form separate mental descriptions of the component sounds, despite the fact that the ¿mixture wave¿ does not directly reveal the waves that have been summed to form it. The name auditory scene analysis (ASA) refers to the process whereby the auditory systems of humans and other animals are able to solve this mixture problem. The process is believed to be quite general, not specific to speech sounds or any other type of sounds, and to exist in many species other than humans. It seems to involve assigning spectral energy to distinct ¿auditory objects¿ and ¿streams¿ that serve as the mental representations of distinct sound sources in the environment and the patterns that they make as they change over time. How this energy is assigned will affect the perceived n- ber of auditory sources, their perceived timbres, loudnesses, positions in space, and pitches. 348 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The author presents polyhedral results and exact solution methods for location problems encountered in telecommunications, but which also have applications in other areas, such as transportation and supply chain management.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 280 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Applied probability is a broad research area that is of interest to scientists in diverse disciplines in science and technology, including: anthropology, biology, communication theory, economics, epidemiology, finance, geography, linguistics, medicine, meteorology, operations research, psychology, quality control, sociology, and statistics. Recent Advances in Applied Probability is a collection of survey articles that bring together the work of leading researchers in applied probability to present current research advances in this important area.This volume will be of interest to graduate students and researchers whose research is closely connected to probability modelling and their applications. It is suitable for one semester graduate level research seminar in applied probability.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 516 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The aim in this graduate level text is to outline the key mathematical concepts that underpin these important questions in applied mathematics. These concepts involve discrete mathematics (particularly graph theory), optimization, computer science, and several ideas in biology.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 280 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - Thanks to the advance of semiconductor and communication technology, the wireless communication market has been booming in the last two decades. It evolved from simple pagers to emerging third-generation (3G) cellular phones. In the meanwhile, broadband communication market has also gained a rapid growth. As the market always demands hi- performance and low-cost products, circuit designers are seeking hi- integration communication devices in cheap CMOS technology. The phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer is a critical component in communication devices. It works as a local oscillator for frequency translation and channel selection in wireless transceivers and broadband cable tuners. It also plays an important role as the clock synthesizer for data converters in the analog-and-digital signal interface. This book covers the design and analysis of PLL synthesizers. It includes both fundamentals and a review of the state-of-the-art techniques. The transient analysis of the third-order charge-pump PLL reveals its locking behavior accurately. The behavioral-level simulation of PLL further clarifies its stability limit. Design examples are given to clearly illustrate the design procedure of PLL synthesizers. A complete derivation of reference spurs in the charge-pump PLL is also presented in this book. The in-depth investigation of the digital CA modulator for fractional-N synthesizers provides insightful design guidelines for this important block.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - 'E-Training Practices for Professional Organizations' is an essential reference for anyone interested in the integration of e-business, e-work and e-learning processes. The book collects, for the first time, the proceedings from the 2003 IFIP eTrain Conference held in Pori, Finland. The text serves as a multi-disciplinary resource for information on the research, development and applications of all topics related to e-Learning. The first half of the book discusses theories, paradigms and their applications in academia and industry. The last half of the book examines learning environments, design issues and collaboration among the corporate, governmental and academic sectors. With academic and professional contributors, 'E-Training Practices for Professional Organizations' reflects the multi-faceted and exciting nature of e-training studies. This volume presents the balanced view of past developments and current research necessary to truly reach the potential of this burgeoning field.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Historical Introduction The Marfan Syndrome: From Clinical Delineation to Mutational Characterization, a Semiautobiographic Account VictorA. McKusick l n 1876, E. Williams, an ophthalmologistin Cincinnati, Ohio, described ectopia lentis in a brother and sister who were exceptionally tall and had been loosejointed from birth. I Although there is a Williams syndrome that has aortic manifestations (supravalvar aortic stenosis), the name Williams was never associated with the disorder we now call Marfan syndrome. The reason is clear: Williamswas geographically removed from the leading medical centers and published in the Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society; surely his report attracted little attention and the non-ocular features were not emphasized. 2 The case report that brought the disorder to attention was provided by a prominent Pari sian professor of pediatrics, Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan (1858-1942), who did much to establish pediatrics as a specialty in France and elsewhere. He was the author of widely read textbooks and monographson pediatrictopics and waseditor of Le Nourrisson for a great many years. In addition to the syndromeunder discussion here, his name is often attached to 'Marfan's law' (that immunity to pulmonary phthisis is conferred by the healing of a local tuberculous 3 lesion) and Marfan's subxiphoid approach for aspiratingfluid from the pericardial sac. (Please pardon my use of the possessive form of the eponym in these two instances!) Pictures of Marfan (Fig.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 236 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Drs. Xander Wehrens and Andrew Marks have gathered the collected wisdom of scientists that have devoted their working lives to the study of ryanodine receptors. In this series of brief, but informative, chapters, the contributions progress from the basic gene family and primary structure, through its 3D structure so far, to its regulation and physiology. The book ends with several chapters on mutations in the receptor that causes disease and their role in adaptation to disease. There are interesting new developments in the control of ryanodine receptors by accessory proteins, the latest of which is the proposed role of leaky RyR channels in causing delayed after depolarizations, a cause of lethal ventricular arrhythmias. The series of reviews in Ryanodine Receptors: Structure, Function and Dysfunction in Clinical Disease will bring anyone rapidly up to speed in current progress in the field, as well as highlight remaining questions.David E. Clapham, MD, PhDProfessor of Neurobiology and PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolSpringer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 356 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits delivers a detailed overview of MMIC design, specifically focusing on designs for the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequency range. The scope of the book is broad, spanning detailed discussions of high-frequency materials and technologies, high-frequency devices, and the design of high-frequency circuits. The design material is supplemented as appropriate by theoretical analyses. The broad scope of the book gives the reader a good theoretical and practical understanding of mm-wave circuit design. It is best-suited for both undergraduate students who are reading or studying high frequency circuit design and postgraduate students who are specializing in the mm-wave field.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 288 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In the field of immunology, type 1 diabetes has become one of the major areas of investigation with studies that span from characterization of key molecules to trials for the prevention of the disease. Type 1 Diabetes : Molecular, Cellular and Clinical Immunology communicates both the background and the most recent understanding of this disorder, which will almost certainly be central to elucidating the etiology of autoimmunity, and in particular of organ specific autoimmunity. The book covers immunogenetics, immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, disease prediction and clinical application of current knowledge. Both scientists seeking to understand and prevent type 1 diabetes/autoimmunity as well as physicians caring for families with type 1 diabetes will be interested in this book.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 360 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Human schistosomiasis is a disease with a rich and well-documented past, and every expectation of an unfortunately long future. These infections were known to the ancient Egyptians and their transmission shows little evidence of slowing down, globally. The good news is that field applicable, and increasingly affordable, chemotherapy has been available for almost 25 years. Using chemotherapy and other means of control, some countries have decreased transmission and made excellent headway against morbidity. The bad news is that the public health problems caused by schistosomiasis are still with us, with the estimated number of cases of schistosomiasis, while shifting geographically, remaining approximately 200 million for the last 30 years. In fact, with the development of field usable ultrasound technology and meta-analyses performed on existing data, there is a new appreciation for the extent of non-lethal morbidity associated with these infections. While the percentage of individuals with severe hepatosplenic disease remains below 10%, recent reassessments of morbidity associated with schistosomiasis indicate that the prevelance of symptoms and the cost in diability-adjusted life years is much greater than was previously, commonly appreciated (Van der Werf, M. J. , et al. 2003, Acta Tropica 86:125-139; Charles H. King, personnel communication). Strong impetus for addressing these issues is provided by the World Health Assembly¿s recently passed Resolution 54. 19, which calls for efforts to reduce morbidity caused by schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children, largely through chemotherapy campaigns.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Most books on this subject are designed for elective courses in 'intermediate dynamics' covering advanced Newtonian and introductory Lagrangian methods. Such books do not give adequate emphasis to advanced topics in Newton-Euler dynamics. Because the first required course in dynamics usually concentrates on 2-D dynamics, important 3-D problems are left to a further course. Examples are robots, automated manufacturing devices, aerospace vehicles, and biomechanical components. This material cannot be covered adequately in one course if it is to be shared with an introduction to Langrangian methods. This text is devoted to application of Newton-Euler methods to complex, real-life 3-D dynamics problems; it essentially completes this topic.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 336 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Component Models and Systems for Grid Applications is the essential reference for the most current research on Grid technologies. This first volume of the CoreGRID series addresses such vital issues as the architecture of the Grid, the way software will influence the development of the Grid, and the practical applications of Grid technologies for individuals and businesses alike.Part I of the book, 'Application-Oriented Designs', focuses on development methodology and how it may contribute to a more component-based use of the Grid. 'Middleware Architecture', the second part, examines portable Grid engines, hierarchical infrastructures, interoperability, as well as workflow modeling environments. The final part of the book, 'Communication Frameworks', looks at dynamic self-adaptation, collective operations, and higher-order components.With Component Models and Systems for Grid Applications, editors Vladimir Getov and Thilo Kielmann offer the computing professional and the computing researcher the most informative, up-to-date, and forward-looking thoughts on the fast-growing field of Grid studies.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 212 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Mitochondrial diseases are often hard to diagnose. From the time they were first researched without animal models, patients of mitochondrial diseases were of equal interest to both clinical and basic scientists. With the new research done, this book includes updates on the normal structure, function, and molecular biology of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, information on traditional diagnostical methodologies, and an overview of the diagnostic promise of new technologies. The hypermetabolism of Luft disease, although only seen twice, is also studied. There are critical reviews of symptoms and signs associated with syndromes, as well as updates on the genetic defects of either the mitochondrial or the nuclear genome responsible for many disorders.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 224 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In the past, many tropical and parasitic infections were confined to tropical areas of the world located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. However, with the increase in air travel and tourism and the changing patterns of immigration, an increasing number of individuals are coming into contact with these infectious agents and transmission across the world has been enhanced.Tropical and Parasitic Infections in the Intensive Care Unit provides an international perspective on this topic and an overview of those infections that may cause critical illness.Charles Feldman, MB BCh., PhD, FRCP, FCP (SA) is a Professor of Pulmonology, Chief Physician and Head, Pulmonology Division of the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa.George Sarosi, MD is the Chief, Medical Service at Roudebush VA Medical Center and Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Arma virumque cano, Trojae qui primus ab oris Italiamfato profugus, Laviniaque venit litora. This is the beginning of Ovid's story about Odysseus leaving Trojae to find his way home. I here tell about my own Odysee-like ex- riences that I have undergone when I attempted to simulate visual recognition. The Odyssee started with a structural description - tempt, then continued with region encoding with wave propagation and may possibly continue with a mixture of several shape descr- tion methods. Although my odyssey is still under its way I have made enough progress to convey the gist of my approach and to compare it to other vision systems. My driving intuition is that visual category representations need to be loose in order to be able to cope with the visual structural va- ability existent within categories and that these loose representations are somehow expressed as neural activity in the nervous system. I - gard such loose representations as the cause for experiencing visual illusions and the cause for many of those effects discovered in att- tional experiments. During my effort to find such loose represen- tions, I have made sometimes unexpected experiences that forced me to continuously rethink my approach and to abandon or turn over some of my initially strongly believed viewpoints.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 152 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Quality of Telephone-Based Spoken Dialogue Systems is a systematic overview of assessment, evaluation, and prediction methods for the quality of services such as travel and touristic information, phone-directory and messaging, or telephone-banking services. A new taxonomy of quality-of-service is presented which serves as a tool for classifying assessment and evaluation methods, for planning and interpreting evaluation experiments, and for estimating quality. A broad overview of parameters and evaluation methods is given, both on a system-component level and for a fully integrated system. Three experimental investigations illustrate the relationships between system characteristics and perceived quality. The resulting information is needed in all phases of system specification, design, implementation, and operation.Although Quality of Telephone-Based Spoken Dialogue Systems is written from the perspective of an engineer in telecommunications, it is an invaluable source of information for professionals in signal processing, communication acoustics, computational linguistics, speech and language sciences, human factor design and ergonomicsSpringer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 492 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The function of vertebrate hearing is served by a surprising variety of sensory structures in the different groups of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This book discusses the origin, specialization, and functional properties of sensory hair cells, beginning with environmental constraints on acoustic systems and addressing in detail the evolutionary history behind modern structure and function in the vertebrate ear. Taking a comparative approach, chapters are devoted to each of the vertebrate groups, outlining the transition to land existence and the further parallel and independent adaptations of amniotic groups living in air. The volume explores in depth the specific properties of hair cells that allowed them to become sensitive to sound and capable of analyzing sounds into their respective frequency components. Evolution of the Vertebrate Auditory System is directed to a broad audience of biologists and clinicians, from the level of advanced undergraduate students to professionals interested in learning more about the evolution, structure, and function of the ear.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 440 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware.